Canada's Safest Employers awards recognize companies from all across Canada with outstanding accomplishments in promoting the health and safety of their workers. The program boasts 10 industry-specific safety awards and four special awards.

The COS Safety Leader of the Year recognizes an individual who best exemplifies leadership and vision in the world of OHS in Canada. Co-workers, employees, bosses or anyone can submit a nomination for a deserving leader.

MPP for Ottawa Centre is new Ontario labour minister

Yasir Naqvi, MPP for Ottawa Centre, has been appointed new minister of labour by newly sworn-in Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne.

Naqvi was first elected to represent the riding of Ottawa Centre in 2007, and was re-elected in 2011. He has served as the parliamentary assistant to the minister of finance, the minister of community safety and correctional services, the minister of revenue and the minister of education.

Prior to his election, Naqvi was the associate director and international trade counsel at the Centre for Trade Policy and Law (CTPL). Before joining CTPL, he practiced international trade law with Lang Michener LLP and Flavell Kubrick LLP.

Wynne, along with 27 members of her new cabinet, were sworn into office Feb. 11, as the new premier vows to prioritize "jobs, the economy and a fair society."

"Jobs, the economy and a fair society are the priorities for this new government, and we intend to work with the opposition parties to make progress on these important priorities for the people of this province. There is much that can be done if we set the interests of Ontario at the heart of our work. That is why I am opening a new session of the legislature next week," Wynne said in a statement.